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Miami Dolphins’ 2017 Full Schedule Breakdown & Picks

A healthy and upright Ryan Tannehill is key to the Miami Dolphins' upcoming season. Read on to see why and review the team's 2017 regular-season NFL schedule.

In early April, controversial Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry predicted Miami would sweep the reigning Super Bowl champion Patriots in 2017. Any bettors buying into this? No AFC East team has beaten New England quarterback Tom Brady as a starter twice in the same year in his career.

Nonetheless, Landry is right to zero in on the division clashes; success in these is central to making the playoffs. The Dolphins have played in the postseason twice in the last 15 years (2016, 2008); they went 4-2 against AFC rivals in each.

Miami’s season may get off to a slow start. Starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who set career highs in passer rating and the all-important yards-per-passing attempt in 2016, is recovering from a December slightly torn ACL injury but will be good to go for camp. The Dolphins do not play a playoff team from last season until a Week 6 trip to Atlanta.

Keeping Tannehill upright is the team’s biggest concern. The Dolphins’ offensive line rated third-worst in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus. With the six-year pro under center, the Dolphins are 15-6 SU and 14-7 ATS when allowing one sack or fewer in a contest. When yielding two or more, the team is 22-34 SU and 20-34-2 ATS.

Oddsmakers think the Dolphins offer the sternest competition in the AFC East for the Patriots. Chances are long according to the odds, though. To win the AFC Championship, online sportsbook 5Dimes lists Miami at +2300 odds. Backers can more than double that if they believe in a Super Bowl LII victory at +5000 odds.